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69% Critic Match
Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations
6.9 / 10• 1938• 2h 7m•NR• German
Documentary
Storyline
Starting with a long and lyrical overture, evoking the origins of the Olympic Games in ancient Greece, Riefenstahl covers twenty-one athletic events in the first half of this two-part love letter to the human body and spirit, culminating with the marathon, where Jesse Owens became the first track and field athlete to win four gold medals in a single Olympics.
Cast & Crew
David Albritton
Self - High Jump, USA (uncredited)
LeadAA
Arvo Askola
Self - 10000 Metres, Finland (uncredited)
Jack Beresford
Self - Carries British Flag (uncredited)
EB
Erwin Blask
Self - Hammer Throw, Germany (uncredited)
SB
Sulo Bärlund
Self - Shot Put, Finland (uncredited)
IC
Ibolya Csák
Self - High Jump, Hungary (uncredited)
GC
Glenn Cunningham
Self (uncredited)
Henri de Baillet-Latour
Self - IOC, Stands with Hitler, with Hurdlers (uncredited)
What People Are Saying
4.0
“A staggering achievement of craft and ambition. Leni Riefenstahl's vision lands with breathtaking precision.”
3.0
“Every frame feels alive. Olympia Part One: Festival of the Nations is the rare release that takes its audience seriously.”
